A home-garden in Duwa, Negombo, Sri Lanka.

Duwa is an Island at the tip of Negombo. It is about 26 acres in extent. It is full of houses and well kept gardens. It has the Indian Ocean on it's west side and the Negombo Lagoon on it's east side. I took a picture of this beautiful garden when we visited friends a few days back.

Steam driven road roller of the 1950s, Sri Lanka.

In my boyhood I would spend hours watching a road roller at work. My ambition in life at that time was to become a driver of a steam road roller.

'Udarata Menike' at Pilimathalawa. Sri Lanka.

The 'observation car' of the Udarata Menike is an ideal spot to admire the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka in aiur-conditioned comfort. This is the last bogey in the day express running from Colombo to Badulla.

Cherry blossoms, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

It is cherry blossom ( Toboebia roesa) time in Sri Lanka now. The trees are in full bloom. A pinkish carpet covers the bottom of the trees and a blaze of pink and purple greets the wayfarer. I took this photo a few days back on the Peradeniya road near the bridge over the Mahaweli Ganga.

Moat in front of the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The entrance to the 'Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka, has a moat with fish and tortoises swimming in it. It has a sense of serenity accentuated by the architectural design of the wall of the moat. I tried to convey that sense in this photograph.

The arch bridge at Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka.

The construction of a road to Kandy by the British was a very ardous task. After the climb up Kadugannawa various streams had to be crossed before the crossing of the Mahawely at Peradeniya. This was an arch bridge constructed at Pilimathalawa. Note the Sinhalised spelling of Edward Barnes on the name board.

"The Audience Hall, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The 'Audience Hall' of the last Kings of the Kandyan Kingdom, is situated just behind the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. It is a beautiful building built in the Kandyan Architectural tradition. The space inside is open and airy. A few years back the Supreme court sessions were held there.

Cherry blossoms in front of the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The violet-pink cherry blossoms seen with a background of a blue sky, and the pink carpet of wilted flowers on the ground make a beautiful sight. This photo was taken in front of the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka a few days back by me.

Model of an oldtime bridge, Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka.

A sqirrel collecting material for a nest, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Squirrels are a constant presence in our garden. This one with half its tail missing is a very aggressive character. She is seen carrying material to build her nest.

A garden Lizard preparing a nest for its eggs, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The female garden lizard selects a spot warmed by the sun, digs the soil and lays its eggs. It covers up the soil and goes away. The soft rubbery eggs hatch and the tiny lizards emerge and fend for themselves.

Childrens park, Yahellawaththe, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A quiet contryside park for children to play and listen to birdsong.

Scorpion orchids in bloom.

These Scorpion orchids are in full bloom in our garden at Avissawella now.

'Black-capped' or 'Black-crested' Bulbul.

I saw this relatively rare type of Bulbul at Yahellawaththe, in Avissawella, Photo by Charaka on a Fuji Finepix.

Wooden frame used for a 'pillow-fight' contest, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A 'pillow-fighting' contest is held as part of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka. The two contestants sit astride the wooden trunk, facing each other. Each has a pillow on one hand and the other hand holds his hip on the same side. The idea is to knock the oppponent down from the bar using the pillow as a weapon. The contest creates a lot of hilarity among the spectators. My brother Saba, resident in Germany from 1972 introduced this in one of their village fairs. It was received very enthusiastically.

A loverly bunch of 'King coconuts' - Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The ripe king coconuts are sold for Rs.5/- to Rs.9/- while still on the tree. They are then plucked and transported to the wayside where they are sold for anything between Rs.15/- to Rs.20/-. The prices go up during the hot days. By comparison a one litre bottle of Coca Cola sells for Rs.100/-.
Wish you all a happy 'Aluth Avuruddha' - 'Puthu varudam'.

Young Leaf-bird, ?Blue winged, Yahellawaththe, Sri La

I saw about four of these young leaf-birds on a tall tree in Yahellawaththe, Avissawella, Sri Lanka. They were still in their juvenile plumage and were difficult to identify. Photo by Charaka on a Fuji Finepix with 10X zoom.

Climbing the 'greasy pole', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

One of the popular competitions of the 'New year' is climbing the greasy pole and bringing down the red flag on the top of the pole. Here you see one of the competitors attempting it.

'Kadapul' flower, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A rare flower which opens in the late evening and has a sweet smell.

Garden outside the male ward, District Hospital, Koslanda.

Garden, District Hospital, Koslanda, Sri Lanka.

You can identify tghe plantain, breadfruit and jak trees in the garden of the hospital. Every year an auction was held among the staff of the hospital.

Every year an auction was held among the staff of the hospital. The highest bidder had access to all the produce from the trees in the hospital premises. The trees included plantains, breadfruit, jak, coconut, arecanut, mango etc.

District Medical Officer's quarters, Koslanda, Sri Lanka.

The only change I noticed from 1966 when I was its occupant was the change from 'bucket latrines' to a modern toilet. The 'billin tree' with its abundant fruits was still there near the gate. Wild hare, mouse deer and hedge-hogs still frequented the place.

A corridor in the District Hospital, Koslanda, Sri Lanka.

This corridor looked the same when I was District Medical Officer at the District Hospital, Koslanda, in 1966. I took this picture in February 2010. Time has stood still here.

Lotus pond, Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.

Lotus pond with two birds and an iguana, Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.

A stream in Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.

I passed this stream close to Athurugiriya two days ago. There were lovely red lotuses in bloom, the air was fresh and free of fumes and the countryside peaceful. It was a bit of paradise.

A school band, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

There are two types of school bands in present Sri Lanka. They are the western and the occidental. The photo above shows an eastern school band in action at the 'Janadhipathi Vidyalaya', Avissawella.

'Kiri Amma Daana' on a paddy field.

On the road to Maniyangama in Avissawella, I came across this shed constructed on a paddy field. It was after harvesting time. The villagers told me they had a 'Pirith' ceremony the previous night with a 'Daana' given to 49 'Kiri Ammas' the previous night. This was to invoke rains as there was a period of drought at that time.

Mango fruit and squirrel, Avissawela, Sri Lanka.

The first mango fruit in our garden being consumed with relish by a squirrel.